Biology · Microbes in Human Welfare · NEET
It must be species-specific (attacks only the target pest), narrow-spectrum (does not harm many species), and inactive on non-target organisms — meaning it does not damage crop plants, mammals, birds, fish, or the helpful predator and parasite insects that keep pests in check. This is the exact wording NEET 2026 tested, so learn all three points together.
A broad-spectrum agent, like most chemical pesticides, kills pests AND the beneficial insects at the same time. IPM wants to protect these helpful predators and parasites because they naturally control pests. A narrow-spectrum agent hits only the one pest, so the natural balance of the field is kept. That is why 'narrow' is correct and 'broad' is the trap word.
Species-specific and INACTIVE on non-target organisms is the correct pair. 'Symbiotic' is a decoy word — a biocontrol agent kills or attacks a pest, it does not live in mutual benefit with it. NEET options mix 'symbiotic' with correct words to confuse you; reject any option that says symbiotic here.
Baculoviruses, especially those in the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), are the ideal example. NCERT states they are used for species-specific, narrow-spectrum insecticidal applications and have no negative impact on plants, mammals, birds, fish, or non-target insects. Remember: NPV = the model narrow-spectrum agent.
They are real biocontrol agents (Trichoderma controls plant fungal pathogens; Bt kills caterpillars), but the specific 'ideal narrow-spectrum, safe-on-non-targets' example NCERT highlights is the baculovirus/Nucleopolyhedrovirus. Do not confuse 'a biocontrol agent' with 'the ideal IPM agent' — the question wording decides the answer.
A biocontrol agent to be a part of an integrated pest management should be
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
IPM is a holistic pest-control approach that reduces the use of toxic chemical pesticides by combining biological control agents with an understanding of the field's food webs, so that helpful predators and parasites are protected while pests are checked.
Species-specific (targets only one pest), narrow-spectrum (does not harm many species), and inactive on non-target organisms (safe for crops, mammals, birds, fish, and beneficial insects).
Because it kills only the target pest and spares the beneficial insects that naturally control pests, keeping the field's balance. Broad-spectrum chemicals kill both pests and helpers, which harms this balance.
Baculoviruses of the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), described in NCERT as suitable for species-specific, narrow-spectrum insecticidal applications with no negative impact on non-target organisms.
NEET 2026 asked the exact definition of an ideal IPM biocontrol agent. It is a direct one-line NCERT recall, so knowing the three properties gives a quick, guaranteed mark.
